Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy or PEMF therapy is used to heal bones and tissues.
In recent years, this form of therapy has become increasingly popular.
You may have stumbled upon this online, heard about it from a friend, or discussed this option with a doctor.
Whether or not you have heard of PEMF therapy, this article will inform you about everything you need to know.
This article discusses the history of PEMF, what PEMF is, the mechanics, how it works, its many benefits, where you can get it and its FDA classification.
History of PEMF therapy
Although the use of magnetic fields in healing has been around for thousands of years, it has only become widely accepted as a medical treatment option in the past few decades.
The earliest documented usage of magnetic fields for medical treatment documents can be traced back to around 2000 years ago and has Greek origins.
However, when the FDA approved PEMF machines as a medical device in 1979, this form of therapy started getting mainstream recognition and appeal.
PEMF therapy has been used for many things, ranging from fractures to brain cancer to depression.
The past few decades have been a game changer in the widespread research and usage of PEMF devices.
After a few more modifications to the use of pulsed electromagnetic therapy for bones and tissues, the FDA approved these devices as a wellness device in 2015.
Consequently, PEMF machines went from being used in medical facilities for treatment to something that one can use at home.
What is PEMF?
Now that we have established that PEMF is an evolved version of an ancient remedy and that the FDA has approved it as a wellness device, the next step is to understand what PEMF therapy encompasses.
It is important to understand that magnetic therapy and electromagnetic therapy are different.
While they both use electricity for treatment, the fundamentals are different.
PEMF is closer to electrotherapy that was developed in the 1700s.
For starters, the world and our human body are filled with electromagnetic fields.
Among many things, the cells in the human body require electromagnetic fields, thunderstorms take place due to electromagnetic fields, NASA uses electromagnetic fields for astronauts and the cellphones we use are powered by electromagnetic fields.
PEMF therapy uses the electromagnetic fields in our body and stimulates it with the help of an external device.
Therefore, PEMF therapy is mainly used as a natural and drug-free opinion to treat many kinds of physical ailments and bodily pain.
The PEMF therapy process works by matching the typical voltage levels of the human body to ensure your body does not experience any shock in the process of relieving your pain.
An example is when you are unwell and in pain, your body’s cell voltage drops to around 15 millivolts from a regular cell voltage level of around 20-25 millivolts.
Just like you recharge your cellphone when your battery is losing its charge, electromagnetic fields in the form of PEMF therapy can be used to recharge your cells and to stop cell damage or heal the cells from the voltage drops.
As a result, PEMF therapy triggers the natural healing response system in your body.
While one session of PEMF therapy may yield results for one person, the same might not apply to others.
In addition, similar to other types of therapy, the number of volts that your cells require and the response to therapy is relative to your requirements.
Regardless of the nature of therapy one may require, PEMF therapy attempts to improve overall health by improving cell health, which is regarded as one of the biggest deterrents to recovery in human health.
The goal is to trigger the electromagnetic fields in your body to trigger a natural healing process, without the potential side-effects of other healing alternatives, like drugs.
The Mechanics
The basic concept of PEMF therapy is that it uses electromagnetic fields to trigger a natural recovery response to the pain in your body.
However, an appreciation of the process of PEMF therapy requires additional explanation.
Depending on your body’s demands, low or high frequencies of these electromagnetic fields need to be applied.
Consequently, to understand how PEMF works, it is also important to understand how the human body functions.
The mechanics of this therapy are built around the fact that a human body is made up of trillions of cells.
There are different types of cells in the body, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, etc.
The different types and groups of cells perform different tasks in the body.
For example, the cells in the liver or kidney are responsible for cleansing your blood, while the cells in other parts of the body have different roles and functions.
All of these cells have something called mitochondria, which is responsible for converting oxygen into energy and giving life to the cells.
This process releases electromagnetic fields.
As a result, each activity within our cells, and consequently our bodies, are a result of electromagnetic activities inside our cells and bodies.
Given that we have established that electromagnetic fields are an integral part of human body functioning, PEMF is a process of recharging your body by recharging your cells.
Unlike x-ray and microwave electromagnetic waves which are of higher frequency, PEMF therapy uses low frequency waves, to ease your pain and to ensure that it does not leave side-effects.
In other words, PEMF therapy stimulates cells instead of hindering cells.
It, therefore, acts as an energy booster rather than affecting cells and creating clumping.
How does PEMF Work?
While hazardous exposure to electromagnetic waves can result in the clumping of blood, adequate amounts can be highly beneficial.
However, this should not be confused with high frequency electromagnetic fields present in other devices around us.
Keeping this in mind, PEMF therapy relies on pulsed electromagnetic fields rather than direct electromagnetic exposure to repair the human body tissues.
For maximum benefit, PEMF therapy targets the cells.
Instead of getting in the way of tissue and blood repair, this therapy option is designed to match the electromagnetic fields of your tissues.
In this process, the therapy options mitigate the possible repercussions of shock caused in your body and trigger a positive cellular response at your body’s electromagnetic pace.
When it comes to electromagnetic fields, like frequency, the amplitude and biorhythm are also very important.
The frequency needs to be around 0-30 hertz, to trigger ideal repairing conditions for your body.
While the frequency of PEMF therapy needs to be in sync with your cells’ voltage levels, a high amplitude can be equally risky.
An amplitude too high can also shock your cells and result in cellular damage.
As a general rule of thumb, a normal amplitude for human cells ranges from 30-60 micro teslas.
In order to reap the maximum benefits and to avoid cell damage, stick with the lower amplitude values in PEMF machines.
Furthermore, the human body goes through different frequencies throughout the day.
Biorhythm, as the term suggests, addresses the natural change in frequencies in our bodies throughout the day.
While our frequencies are higher when we are active and during the day, they are lower during periods of rest and during the night.
Keeping this in mind will make sure you get the benefits of PEMF therapy without any shock.
For optimal benefits, you should consult the frequency, amplitude and biorhythm from a medical professional.
Tracking the frequency levels will make sure you use a PEMF machine as per your body’s requirements.
While the machines have high frequency options, it is best to initially stick with the lower options to determine your body’s response.
Once your body gets accustomed to the device, you can alter the settings based on the recommendations of a medical professional.
However, it is best to avoid experimenting with higher frequency levels initially to avoid further complications.
The Benefits of PEMF therapy
PEMF therapy can help with pain management, joint and bone healing, immunity, sleep, depression and other ailments.
PEMF therapy is built on the premise that it boosts cell regeneration and improves blood flow.
Both of these benefits can help with a host of underlying health conditions.
Unlike high frequency devices, which break down your ions and disrupt your cells and overall body function, PEMF therapy releases extremely low levels of electromagnetic fields that are comparable to naturally occurring electromagnetic fields.
For example, PEMF therapy volts are lower than the ones generated by thunderstorms.
As a result, you get the benefits without the adverse effects.
A study conducted in 2004 to measure the blood flow levels before and after PEMF therapy, indicated that the therapy results in widening of the blood vessels or vasodilation.
As a result, PEMF therapy can result in better blood flow or blood circulation, by opening up the blood vessels.
While it did not affect the heart rate, a mere two minutes of PEMF therapy induced stimulation resulted in a change in the blood vessels.
Along with an increase in blood flow levels, PEMF also stimulates cell regeneration.
A study conducted in 2016 to monitor adult stem cells through the use of PEMF devices, showed a positive correlation between the regeneration of adult stem cells and PEMF therapy.
However, this study, like other studies, is not conclusive.
With the increasing popularity of PEMF devices and the widespread use of PEMF therapy, more studies are being conducted in this area to indicate conclusive results.
In addition to these general benefits, there are many other specific benefits of PEMF.
Click here, to dig deeper and read more on the specific benefits of PEMF therapy.
Where can you get PEMF Therapy?
Given that PEMF devices are FDA approved, you can get PEMF therapy at a medical facility or at home.
If you choose to go to a medical facility, you will undergo PEMF therapy with a chiropractor or therapist.
This is often requires multiple appointments and sessions but it can yield impressive results.
Alternatively, if you choose to get PEMF therapy at home, you can get a device and self-administer the treatment.
After consultation with a medical professional, self-administering PEMF therapy with a device at home is an affordable option.
A session with a chiropractor or therapist may not be covered by insurance and be expensive.
By contrast, investing in a PEMF device is a one-time cost that you can continually reap benefits from.
It is likely that you will need more than a few sessions to alleviate the pain you are treating with PEMF, so investing in a PEMF device could be a smart long-term investment.
FDA Classification
Though initially placed as a Class 3 device, the FDA upgraded PEMF therapy device to a Class 2 device in 2015.
To understand this classification, it is important to understand how the FDA classifies items.
There are three classes for medical devices; Class 1 poses minimal to no risk, Class 2 poses a higher risk than Class 1 devices and Class 3 poses potential unreasonable risk and are generally used for patients in need of life support.
The reclassification of PEMF devices by the FDA, to a Class 2 device, indicates that it is no longer seen as something that poses unreasonable risk.
As a result, these devices are now available for general use.
Conclusion
The origins of using magnetic fields for therapy date back to thousands of years ago.
However, a formalized use of electromagnetic fields is something that has developed over the last century.
PEMF therapy is used for a wide range of benefits.
Its actual effects in the body are continually being studied.
However, in order to understand what PEMF therapy is, it is important to understand the history of PEMF, its mechanics, how it works, the many benefits, where you can get it and its FDA classification.
This allows you to understand what this therapy is and what it involves.